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Local group providing free COVID-19 testing to Hispanic, Latino communities

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Updated: 6:17 PM CDT May 19, 2020

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IMPACTING THE LATINO COMMUNITY. &gt;&gt; THE LATEST REPORT FRO THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOWED THAT THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY MAKES UP ALMOST 16% OF CONFIRMED CASES ACROSS THE STATE. &gt;&gt; I THINK THERE'S LACK OF EDUCATION. &gt;&gt; DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SAYS THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO REACHING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. &gt;&gt; OUR STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD AT STAYING IN TOUCH WITH OUR FAMILIES. &gt;&gt; THE AGENCY SERVES 30-40,000 PEOPLE A YEAR WITH PROGRAMS LIKE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS. THE COVID COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING HOME. &gt;&gt; FAMILY IS SUCH A PRIORITY AND HAVING TO STAY AWAY IS A BIG CHALLENGE. &gt;&gt; ALMOST THREE TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE UNINSURED. &gt;&gt; THEY'RE IMPACTED GREATLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO DOCTORS. &gt;&gt; NOW THROUGH THURSDAY CARING VANS IS PROVIDING FREE TESTING FROM 4:00 TO 7:00

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Local group providing free COVID-19 testing to Hispanic, Latino communities

The latest epidemiology report from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows that the Hispanic or Latino community accounts for almost 16% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state."I still think there's that lack of education," said Mario Medrano, director of operations at the Latino Community Development Agency.Medrano told KOCO 5 that there is always room for improvement when it comes to reaching under-served communities."Our staff has been working really hard at staying in touch with our families," Medrano said.The agency serves about 30,000 to 40,000 people per year with programs like treatment and prevention and health and wellness. According to Medrano, the biggest challenge for Latinos during the coronavirus pandemic is understanding the importance of staying home."Family is such a priority to us, and having to stay away from them is such a big challenge," Medrano said.Latinos are almost three times as likely to be uninsured, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."They're impacted greatly because they don't have access to doctors," Medrano said. Caring Vans is providing free testing from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Thursday at the Latino Community Development Agency, located at 420 SW 10th St.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

The latest epidemiology report from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows that the Hispanic or Latino community accounts for almost 16% of the confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state.

"I still think there's that lack of education," said Mario Medrano, director of operations at the Latino Community Development Agency.

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Medrano told KOCO 5 that there is always room for improvement when it comes to reaching under-served communities.

"Our staff has been working really hard at staying in touch with our families," Medrano said.

The agency serves about 30,000 to 40,000 people per year with programs like treatment and prevention and health and wellness. According to Medrano, the biggest challenge for Latinos during the coronavirus pandemic is understanding the importance of staying home.

"Family is such a priority to us, and having to stay away from them is such a big challenge," Medrano said.

Latinos are almost three times as likely to be uninsured, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"They're impacted greatly because they don't have access to doctors," Medrano said.